( The White Tiger Groups Regional Management Office, StrongHaven City )
A couple days after winning the Grand Tournament, Leo, as Leo Skyshard and not 'TheBoss', went to meet with Shane Emerald at the White Tiger Groups Regional Management Office in StrongHaven City, just like Shane had instructed him to.
He dressed up like a decent merchant, changed his appearance like his hair style and face shape ever so slightly to conceal his identity and changed his name tag from 'TheBoss' to 'LeoSkyshard' before strolling towards the regional office confidently.
"Sorry Sir, this is a restricted area, you cannot enter without an invitation–" The security guard outside the building said, as he denied Leo entry into the building.
"Oh I was invited, just check with Mr.Shane and ask him if he's expecting to meet someone referred to by 'TheBoss', today–" Leo said, as he waited patiently for the security guards response, who judged him from head to toe, before deciding to check the authenticity of his words.
Everyday, there were a dozen different small merchant group owners who requested for a meeting with Shane and many of them were slick liars who fooled the security officers with their believable lies to find their way in.
This made the security guards very apprehensive of anyone approaching without an invite, however, seeing how Leo name dropped 'TheBoss', the current Champion Of The Grand Tournament, the security guards decided to check up on his story before deciding on whether or not they should let him in.
"Good one…. Your lie at least made him go inside and check…. But damn, name dropping the unbroken one! You're ballsy" said a rag-tag looking man outside the gate, who was seemingly trying to secure a meeting with Shane for the past 15 days now.
Apparently, the man who was a struggling merchant, did not believe that 'TheBoss' who was known to be cold and indifferent would actually give anyone a referral, which was the reason behind why he automatically invalidated Leo's story as a lie.
"I'm not lying" Leo said, shrugging his shoulders as he judged the poor man by his haggard appearance and then scoffed at him condescendingly.
He did not wish to be that guy that looked down on people who were poor, however, he definitely did not mind looking down on people who were both poor and dumb at once, but still carried themselves with absolute confidence.
"Yeah sure buddy. We're merchants, of course we never lie… we only conveniently misrepresent the truth" the man said, laughing at Leo's alias as Leo couldn't help but shake his head.
"I've never seen you before? What's the name of your Merchant Group?" The man asked, trying to strike up conversation to kill time, however, Leo paid him no need.
Ignoring him and pretending to be interested in the paint color of the security gate, Leo gave the man no face and did not bother replying to his question.
The man, feeling offended by Leo's attitude snorted in disgust and got irritated by Leo giving him attitude as he said "The fact that I have to ask for your identity already means that you have no right to behave as condescendingly as you are.
You're a small fish just like me. It's not good to have a big head for us small fish"
Just then, the security guard who had gone in to check the authenticity of Leo's words returned and opened the entry gate for Leo, as he allowed him to pass while giving him an earnest bow.
"Apologies for making you wait sir, but it was important that I check the authenticity of your words before letting you in ….. we have quite the liars around here" The security guard said, eyeing the poor merchant outside, who was left with his mouth agape looking at Leo entering the building.
The man was convinced that Leo was lying and that he did not have any real connection to 'TheBoss', however, seeing as to how he was allowed entry into the building, the man couldn't help but question his own intelligence.
"Well I'll be damned! The Boss isn't as hard to form a bond with as he portrays on the outside then…." The man said, as his entire take away from the situation was that The Boss was not as cold as he thought he might be.
***********
( Meanwhile Leo )
Forgetting the annoying man outside like an afterthought, Leo turned all his focus on his upcoming meeting with Shane, as putting an amiable smile on his face, Leo entered into his office.
"Agh… you must be the young man 'TheBoss' was lobbying for…. Haha, please come in" Shane said, with his usual charm as he welcomed Leo into his office.
Sitting inside, alongside Shane were several other high level executive's of the White Tiger Merchant Group, as from the moment Leo stepped into the room he was met with borderline hostile and judgmental gazes from all sides.
To Leo, the pressure of this office felt no different than the pressure of the arena, as this meeting also seemed like a battle to him, where victory meant getting capital infusion from the white tiger group into his future plans, while defeat meant going back empty handed.
"Thank you for making the time to meet with me," Leo said, his voice steady despite the palpable tension in the room.
"Of course," Shane replied smoothly.
"Any associate of 'TheBoss' is a guest of honor here.
I'm sure me and my associates here will see something interesting and new today…"Shane said, hyping Leo up before his pitch as he put him on a pedestal that he did not deserve.
Of course this wasn't out of kindness, but because of a psychological trick where if Leo's products were average or underperforming, they would look worse, while if they met expectations they would look average, driving the price down.
In this way, Shane was a ruthless businessman, however, Leo who was completely unaware of the true meaning behind his words simply took it as a compliment and smiled.
"I don't believe we have been properly introduced yet. I'm Shane Emerald, I lead the White Tiger Merchant Group…. What is your good name, young man?" Shane asked, extending his hand across the table as Leo firmly shook it and replied "I'm Leo Skyshard and I own Mount Faulkner Trading Company".